Volvo EX30, the small SUV with the smallest carbon footprint, goes all-electric

The Volvo EX30 is a small, fully electric SUV created to be more modern than any Volvo vehicle in the company's history by leaving a reduced carbon footprint.

By addressing emissions across the Volvo EX30's entire production and lifecycle, Volvo lowered the vehicle's overall carbon footprint, which included more than 200,000 km of driving, to under 30 tonnes. The company's goal is to reduce overall CO₂ emissions per car by 40 per cent between 2018 and 2025, representing a 25 per cent reduction compared to its fully electric C40 and XC40 models.

Through a number of strategies, the Volvo EX30's CO₂ footprint was lowered to 75 per cent of the company's current electric vehicles. The quantity of materials required was decreased by designing a smaller automobile. With about 25 per cent recycled aluminium and 17 per cent recycled steel utilised in production, using more recycled steel and aluminium further lowered the environmental impact.

Manaf Qassim, the Principal Dealer at Volvo Cars Bahrain, said: "The EX30 exemplifies Volvo's commitment to a greener future. Its reduced total carbon footprint, incorporating sustainable materials in its interior and exterior, end-of-life recycling, and other design aspects that follow global sustainability standards highlight the company's direction and the positive impact its vehicles aim to have on the environment."

Most plastics in the SUV—17 per cent of them, including everything from bumpers to interior parts—are recycled in this model, a record for Volvo vehicles. High concentrations of climate-neutral energy, including 100 per cent climate-neutral electricity, will power the facility where the Volvo EX30 will be produced.

Various recycled and renewable materials are employed for the seats, dashboard, and doors inside, including denim, flax, and a wool blend containing about 70 per cent recycled polyester.

The estimated 18 tonnes of CO₂ generated by the EX30 from the extraction of raw materials to the final vehicle's arrival at the dealer are known as its cradle-to-gate CO₂ effect. The EX30 is made to be 95 per cent recovered at the end of its lifespan through material recycling and energy recovery. Additionally, it gives customers more options for downsizing and lowering their CO₂ emissions without sacrificing convenience, comfort, or safety while driving.